Breeds To Be Wary Of

[hankdog]

Yep definitely many breeds to be wary of,

Alsatian, affenpinscher, bulldog, bull terrier, chihuahua, Dalmatian, Doberman,foxterrrier groenendal.....

Pretty much anything with teeth.

Learn to read dog body language, any dog is an accident waiting for a place to happen. Generalizing on breed is dog racism. Doesn't work for people and doesn't work for dogs.

[Salukifan]

Oh please. Lets not use the word "racism" with regard to dogs.

We don't selectively breed our own species for particular traits. The comparison is ridiculous.

Next you'll be suggesting that all breeds are basically alike - just cosmetically different.

[RiverStar-Aura]

The other thing to remember is that whilst SBTs are a bull breed, they are also a terrier too, which I feel also isn't a help to their reputation. Terriers are go getting dogs with a fierce determination and an unyielding mentality. They do not back down and will rise up to any challenge, which can become a serious problem.

If a terrier become involved in a kerfuffle with another dog, it's not going to matter who started it. The terrier will finish it even if it kills them in the process. Terriers are feisty by nature, but also have the ability to be fantastic companions. I've always felt that any breed you choose to live with should be researched -- if you understand their origins you'll be able to better understand their actions and how their mind works.

I understand that many of you on this forum do not like the terrier mentality/attitude and whilst I love it, I fully understand why terriers are not for everyone. They are very strong-willed and stubborn and are definitely not for everyone. Having said that, hounds are not for everyone too or any group/breed of dog.

[Salukifan]

I understand that many of you on this forum do not like the terrier mentality/attitude and whilst I love it, I fully understand why terriers are not for everyone. They are very strong-willed and stubborn and are definitely not for everyone. Having said that, hounds are not for everyone too or any group/breed of dog.

It's only an issue when it is neither acknowledged nor managed by the dog's owner.

[BC Crazy]

I'm sorry your pup got ruffed up airlock. I hope he is ok. Try & rebuild his confidience slowly. This has happened to us as well. I just survey everywhere I take my guys. Never let them off lead till I have. Even if there is a sniff of trouble we leave pronto. I take no risks with unknown dogs of any breed.

Very important to learn to read dogs body language both yours & approaching as best you can. This has helped me loads.

Edited November 8, 2013 by BC Crazy

[RiverStar-Aura]

I understand that many of you on this forum do not like the terrier mentality/attitude and whilst I love it, I fully understand why terriers are not for everyone. They are very strong-willed and stubborn and are definitely not for everyone. Having said that, hounds are not for everyone too or any group/breed of dog.

It's only an issue when it is neither acknowledged nor managed by the dog's owner.

Oh ... Sorry. I was trying to say that a lot on DOL don't like their mentality enough to want to own a terrier themselves.

[huski]

Yep definitely many breeds to be wary of,

Alsatian, affenpinscher, bulldog, bull terrier, chihuahua, Dalmatian, Doberman,foxterrrier groenendal.....

Pretty much anything with teeth.

Learn to read dog body language, any dog is an accident waiting for a place to happen. Generalizing on breed is dog racism. Doesn't work for people and doesn't work for dogs.

Of course we generalize on breeds, that's why we have purebred dogs. Knowing each breed has specific breed traits helps us select a suitable dog. To call that "dog racism" is silly.

Many bull breeds are prone to DA, just like they are less likely to be HA. Just like my beagle is prone to scenting, just like my Mal is likely to have a high prey drive.

When it comes to be wary of certain dogs when out, my dogs don't socialize with dogs I don't know but I also know the types of dogs they are less likely to respond well to.

[trinabean]

While I agree with everything else said another way to look at it is from your dog's preference. I find my dogs get on poorly with dogs most dissimilar to them - i.e. they generally get along well with other kelpies, pretty well with border collies, ok with shepherds down to bully breeds where things are often quite tense. So although I love bullys and boofas I generally avoid them to keep the peace.

i think it relates to dogs ability to read each other and preferred play styles. The more different the dog, the more challenging it is for your dog to 'read' it.

Look at Boxers - they tend to spark a lot of reaction from other dogs. I think its because their expression tends to look challenging when its just their head and eye shape.

Oh gods yes, boxers might as well be from Mars as far as my 2 are concerned!

Same with my 2 guys. Between their upright stance & their goofiness I think they think that they are directly from Mars.

Interestingly, herding breeds tend to give a strong reaction to my Boxer more than other breed types. I respect that some dogs may not like/ read each other well, and give plenty of space to any BC's kelpies, ACD's when out and about. At the dog beach with a group of Boxers last weekend (all were well- behaved, just bouncy) many people and dogs gave us a wide berth. A few random dogs joined us at times, most notably a cruisy little black Stafford, who fitted right in, and did some beautiful 'sits' for me.

To the OP, I hope your pup bounces back from the experience. Find some stable, well-mannered and compatible dogs to socialise your pup. And obedience lessons can be a great way to meet others who are putting effort into training their dogs too.

[Ryami]

I think the bull breeds "muscle dog" type breeds are mostly DA because yobbo idiot type owners are attracted to those breeds, and those are the owners who don't socialise their dogs or train them etc. I had a Staffy who was the most loving gentle rag doll type dog you would ever see, he never showed one glimpse of being DA.

[Salukifan]

I think the bull breeds "muscle dog" type breeds are mostly DA because yobbo idiot type owners are attracted to those breeds, and those are the owners who don't socialise their dogs or train them etc. I had a Staffy who was the most loving gentle rag doll type dog you would ever see, he never showed one glimpse of being DA.

I think you're wrong. And so do most knowledgeable SBT people I know. No one has suggested every single SBT is dog aggressive though.

Just as no one sensible would suggest there is no breed incapable of aggression.

[Souff]

Airlock, there are just so many accurate statements in this thread, given by wise and experienced DOlers:

"Learn to read dog body language, any dog is an accident waiting for a place to happen. Generalizing on breed is dog racism. Doesn't work for people and doesn't work for dogs."

"Pretty much anything with teeth."

"People need to understand the potential drives and thresholds in any purebred dog they are thinking of owning. They have been selectively bred for a particular set of drives, a bite threshold and a level of reactivity."

"I know cat safe sighthounds. I make no such assumption about all of them."

I agree with them all. I also stress the need to keep YOUR dog safe and never, never ever assume anything.

The world is there for all dog owners to share, good and bad, well trained and not well trained, well bred and not well bred, responsible owners and totally irresponsible owners.

If your dog is in danger then you need to protect your dog from that danger ... it is your responsibility as an owner.

Blaming the breed never works, but it is a good idea to learn what the different breeds are best at doing - a dog that is good at chasing and crunching is not always the type that you want around your dog, so it is OK to discriminate.

With so many crossbred dogs around today, the matter of breed traits is made even more difficult.

It may look like a breed that would not hurt a fly, but it's daddy might have been a totally different breed of dog.

Mixed breed dogs can sometimes mean mixed up temperaments and traits.

With purebred dogs, you have a better idea of the temperament and traits of the breeds, but always remember that two or more dogs can be operating in pack mode and if they have no owners around, or irresponsible owners are there, things can still get ugly very quickly.

Take your puppy to dog training, get involved where there is safety, and let them be a confident and happy pup in a safe environment.

Best wishes,

Souff

Edited November 8, 2013 by Souff

[airlock]

dog racism seems like a bit of a silly concept. All pure-bred dogs are different, they were bred to perform certain task or have certain traits. people have spent hundreds of years breeding in order to create the perfect dog for there needs. wether that need is herding, guarding, hunting or fighting. it seems that a lot of people don't like to accept the fact that there dog breed was originally designed for a certain task and has a natural predisposition to perform it.

I agree no dog should be judged at face value when dealing with it on any longterm basis but when it comes to short term meetings and playing it seems silly to ignore any possible clues that might lead to problems, and unfortunately to me that does include the breed.

ive been doing a little research and, for example if i knew of an area were a Tosa Inu was walked i would stay away.

Like wise i know my dog likes to heard small running things so i don't let him off lead anywhere he might come in contact with children.

But there has been some really helpful points made hear. I will continue to research dog body language and how to avoid confrontation.

The idea of keeping the pup on the lead when new dogs are in the area seems sensible.

[Clyde]

Staffies were not bred for aggression, they were bred to be family dogs. Their breed has been sullied by gamers but that was not their original purpose.

eh? I suggest you do your research.

If I'm out with my dogs, bull breeds are one of the main breeds I am wary of and I have a Stafford myself.

[mixeduppup]

Staffies were not bred for aggression, they were bred to be family dogs. Their breed has been sullied by gamers but that was not their original purpose.

eh? I suggest you do your research.

If I'm out with my dogs, bull breeds are one of the main breeds I am wary of and I have a Stafford myself.

If you keep reading you'll see I discovered the truth.

Edited November 8, 2013 by mixeduppup

[Clyde]

I think the bull breeds "muscle dog" type breeds are mostly DA because yobbo idiot type owners are attracted to those breeds, and those are the owners who don't socialise their dogs or train them etc. I had a Staffy who was the most loving gentle rag doll type dog you would ever see, he never showed one glimpse of being DA.

I think you're wrong. And so do most knowledgeable SBT people I know. No one has suggested every single SBT is dog aggressive though.

Mine isn't DA, but I know if a fight started she'd get in there and give it her best shot to finish it. I just don't risk it. She only plays with dogs we know well.

[Clyde]

Staffies were not bred for aggression, they were bred to be family dogs. Their breed has been sullied by gamers but that was not their original purpose.

eh? I suggest you do your research.

If I'm out with my dogs, bull breeds are one of the main breeds I am wary of and I have a Stafford myself.

If you keep reading you'll see I discovered the truth.

Hallelujah!

[sandgrubber]

Oh please. Lets not use the word "racism" with regard to dogs.

We don't selectively breed our own species for particular traits. The comparison is ridiculous.

Next you'll be suggesting that all breeds are basically alike - just cosmetically different.

No analogy is watertight. You (as Poodlefan and as HW) have often attacked my posts. If you would read my post, rather than choose to attack it, you would find that it says there are statistically significant differences between breeds...and that it presents data from a peer reviewed paper to illustrate those differences.

BSL, and breed specific reaction, is morally equivalent to racism in judging individuals according to their appearance, rather than their individual character. The analogy is valid. Sure, it falls apart if you try to stretch it to breeding practices. You did, I didn't.

Body language is a different thing. If the "appearance" is ears back, teeth barred, body stiff, there is every reason to form an opinion based on appearance :)...but that holds whether the dog is a Labrador or a pit bull.

Edited November 8, 2013 by sandgrubber

[sandgrubber]

p.s. when talking about bull breeds as bred for fighting, it's important to note that dog fighting was outlawed in England in 1835. The Kennel Club didn't recognize the SBT as a breed until 100 years later!

[melzawelza]

It's all been said here but I'll also ask if there's a possibility that your pup may have contributed to the 'roughing up', and maybe it wasn't roughing up at all, but appropriate?

Reason I ask is that a friend and I were walking our two very social bull breeds the other day when a man with a pup on lead came past and allowed his puppy to come up to ours to say hello (not a concern) but then proceeded to allow his puppy to jump all over our dogs heads, bouncing and hitting the end of the lead as he did it.

Our dogs each told off the puppy very appropriately for it's rude behavior - a grumble and a slight air snap - but the owner looked horrified and like our dogs had done something terribly wrong. Nope, puppy was being a rude little tyke and got told off for it. Very appropriate.

I'm not saying this is necessarily the case in your situation but I find it's often the case these days that owners expect other dogs to put up with anything and if the dog won't tolerate it and corrects their dog in an appropriate, restrained way it's automatically down to the dog being a bull breed rather than recognising their own dog's behavior in the situation.

Edited November 8, 2013 by melzawelza

[juice]

I am very aware of what is at the end of my lead, I am not breed blind, I own a BT because I love them and there is nothing like the clown they are.

They should be tolerant, however if pushed they will finish it.

I too avoid certain breeds, not because of my BT, but my dally who doesn't like the exuberance some breeds have and will politely tell them off, which is perceived as aggressive to some owners.

Pick and choose which dogs you see as a good experience for your pup, he doesn't need to meet everydog you see.